More support in campaign opposing Drax Hall Plantation sale

campaign to prevent British Member of Parliament Richard Drax from profiting from a controversial land deal in Barbados has gained momentum.

This follows a decision by Prime Minister Mia Mottley to halt plans to pay him some $7.5 million for a compulsory acquisition of the Drax Hall Plantation, as the government continues conversations with the British owner for reparations for years of slavery on the lands in question.

The campaign, spearheaded by local and international groups, argues that the plantation should not enrich its current owner but rather benefit the offspring of those enslaved there.

During a meeting on Thursday, hosted by the Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration, General Secretary David Denny hailed the PM’s move to halt the payout, but insisted that activist groups must “maintain pressure because when you put something on hold it means that you can come back to it in a little bit”.

“We believe strongly that Drax should pay reparations to the people of Barbados, and that we should not allow any government or any agency to embarrass our people by using taxpayers’ money to pay Richard Drax for the plantation,”he said, adding that such action would be an insult to all the positive work being done around the world by those against racism and for justice.

The payout plan had angered those involved in the Caribbean reparations movement, who said Drax, the MP for South Dorset, should hand over all or part of the 617-acre plantation to the people of Barbados.

Considered the birthplace of sugarcane cultivation that led to the enslavement of Africans, the estate has remained in the Drax family in England since the 17th century.

The land has been earmarked for the development of low and lower-middle-income housing. And while reparations advocates argue the land should be turned over given its ties to slavery, the Mia Mottley-led administration has stressed that any acquisition must follow all legal protocols regarding ownership rights and compensation.

The matter has attracted attention from activist groups within the UK. During Thursday’s meeting, Candy Udwin from Stand Up Against Racism Dorset, a group which operates within the vicinity of Drax’ s constituency, said: “We were as shocked as everyone when we learned that the Barbados government was considering to buy the land, and are congratulating the people in Barbados for making sure that the proposal has now been put on hold, but . . . putting something on hold and scrapping it are two different things and we have to make sure. If Black Lives Matter is to mean anything, we must hold our MP accountable.”

She disclosed that her group will be intensifying efforts in the UK to ensure that Drax does not receive any payout. A statement will be issued contending that the MP should not only “not receive a penny for the land”, but should also pay for the houses to be erected “if reparations are to mean anything”.

Udwin also discussed organising a larger, possibly national, demonstration in London, capitalising on the political climate and upcoming elections in the UK where Drax is up for re-election.

“Given the current unpopularity of the Tories (Conservative Party), this is a strategic moment to press our demands,” she added, noting the potential political leverage.

Her suggestions were supported by President of the UK-based Caribbean Labour Solidarity, Luke Daniels who also emphasised the need for public pressure and visibility.

“We need to put pressure on Drax at his estate in Dorset… put pressure on him at his home and in front of Parliament. We will make sure any time he shows his face, that there are people to greet him with at least some posters to remind him that he needs to pay reparations and to apologise,” Daniels declared.

The advocate shared with the meeting that his group is focused on working with trade unions and with various trade councils to ensure the fight for reparations for enslavement resonates at every level.

Plans are also underway to host an international conference on reparations to galvanise further global support and coordinate efforts across borders.

While pleased with the efforts of the various groups and in agreement that Drax deserves no payment for the land, Special Envoy to the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for reparations and economic enfranchisement, Trevor Prescod, who was also part of the meeting, said there need to be more conversations among locals on the meaning of reparations.

“There are those who still can’t understand why people are upset at an effort to use the land in order to provide houses for poor people,” the MP for St Michael East said. “What really impresses me is when I hear people on the call-in programmes giving greater clarity to what reparations mean, and I think it’s a discussion that we need to continue over a period of time.”

shannamoore@barbadostoday.bb